To volunteer on the sly? (benefits)

[Esaworry]

NC.

I have been on ESA for around 2 years. I have very bad anxiety and depression.

I fought very hard to get my award. I had to go to tribunal with medical evidence and the judge awarded it me straight away.

I am in the higher group.

I don't socialise. Have friends. Go many places...

I've been very lonely and isolated

I am adopting an animal and have made several trips to see them with a family member.

I like a certain species of animal and the sanctuary doesn't seem to know how to look after them the best way.

I would like to go once a week and clean out cages, make toys for them etc...

But I'm terrified if I ring DWP and ask about this they will tell me if I can do 4 hours there then I can work.

I'm not even sure I will be able to do it right now. Its just a thought.

But I don't know. If I did do it WIBU to not mention it to DWP for fear they will sanction me or something.

It seems unfair I can't try and do something that might help my mental health? I'm just very scared of getting I trouble and them taking my money/award away :(

I wouldn't tell them. They will use it against you at your next medical. I failed my last medical because I use the toaster ( yep apparently I shouldn't even be capable of making myself a bit of toast. It was in my report) I get out of bed and I look after my children and I go to parents evening and I drive. The system is ridiculous don't tell them.

My friend is on esa and she does volunteering in a hospital one day a week talking to people with the same disability as her...she also qualifies for full pip

She doesn’t have a me problem...butmy god living on her own..she would do..if she couldn’t get out

Mh problem

Thankyou for the advice.

I think I'll leave it for now and see how I feel at a later date.

Hi, I know this is a little old bit wanted to mention to the OP about something.

I'm also on PIP / ESA support group for mental health and have this care plan which says about going to the gym / swimming pool and they know about that.

It seems OK if it is for health reasons. I said about it, in the interview also. If I was you I would maybe visit sporadically when you are feeling Ok and tell the charity why you are doing it (anxiety) maybe if you can take someone with you for support.

I would not mention this to ESA unless it came up as a therapy type thing, and emphasise you do it for therapy when you can manage it (so not reliably, repeatedly etc which is what they look at.

It is a shame when we can't do these things but I find saying about the support you need to do them is in fact of help in meeting some of the descriptors etc.

Kind thoughts